City needs to enforce code to ensure public safety

Rule to the wise: Where there is growth there is pain. How do we deal with the pain? On the growth we see in our beloved city, we deal with the pain brought forth by traffic congestions by muttering unprintable words and diverting our route through familiar back roads, where we ferried our children through the years to and from school and sport events. I can be in Kenmore ten minutes from Lynnwood. However, there is a pain with this growth, economically, that is. Because more new businesses are taking advantage of the opportunity to be part of this 21st-century Gold Rush, mostly to cater to the culturally diverse groups that are here in the city. Even though this trend is an economic plus to the financial ledger of the city, overwhelming professional responsibilities for the city of Lynnwood leadership goes with it. And the city and the community are prepared to face the challenge and are proactive to deal with it.

My main concern as a community activist — fully supportive and an advocate of small businesses — is how can we loop in strong public safety with this growth? Is the city equipped with professional code enforcers who are culturally sensitive with common sense? I hope the city leadership is strong enough to stand up against a businessman who will try to hold up the race card every time he is tagged by non-compliance to the safety code or caught using uncertified building materials. I want to feel completely safe when entering a building or a restaurant to eat. I am an American Filipino Hispanic person. It came to my attention that there is a rumor floating around that Lynnwood does not like a certain group to do business here. I went around to hear personal complaints, and the truth is, certain behaviors and/or attitudes created this perception. On the other hand, I am as color blind as can be when it comes to safety of the community. In dealing with using inferior materials not certified here in the U.S. and not following our local building code according to the approved plan submitted to the city, I myself will carry the biggest card with the words temporary suspended for lack of compliance.

Maria Ambalada

Lynnwood